No matter your age, relationship status or any other deciding factor, the long-term relationship you should be most concerned with is the one with yourself. The face in the mirror is truly the one that you should be most accountable to and the most in love with.

Now, I’ve said that last statement before and it’s been met with, “But I’m humble, not arrogant.” This type of love has nothing to do with arrogance, it has to do with protecting and supporting yourself every single day.

It’s often said when someone is sick or run down over the course of time that they “have to take care of themselves before they can take care of anyone else.” The exact same thing goes for loving yourself. You can’t reach your ultimate happiness in any situation unless you start with the solid foundation of understanding that you are an amazing creation and a beautiful person.

Think about it: you’re your longest relationship and you know your own deepest dreams and secrets better than anyone. You wouldn’t let anyone talk down or badly about your best friend, so why would you do it to yourself? Why doubt yourself when you support your other friends?

The main reason is that we let someone else determine our worth. Parents, friends, strangers, relationships, bosses; they all have an impact on us. It all starts when you allow them to sway you from your love of yourself by telling you that you’re “not good enough” or “not pretty enough” or if their actions cause you to feel that way. You must stand strong in your belief and love of yourself.

I was once shattered and unidentifiable to myself after exiting an extremely verbally abusive relationship. Throughout the time I was with this person, I was constantly told that what I liked, did, wore, ate, drank…everything, wasn’t good enough or was embarrassing to them. Every choice I made created an environment where I felt meaningless and worthless. I constantly made excuses for her behavior because why would someone I cared about and who I thought cared about me, talk to me like this? I changed everything to avoid the criticism. One day, I woke up and didn’t recognize my life and had enough. I walked away and never looked back because I realized that I hadn't been caring for myself, rather, contributing to the negativity by allowing it to happen.

No one should ever go through that.

You are you and you should be thankful and blessed for that simple fact. There are billions of people in this world and we are all individuals, all unique and all beautiful in our own way.

Start everyday understanding that. Start every single day knowing deep in your heart that you’re amazing and that you are worthy of love from the one that matters most.